Wheeled axle suspension



April. 17, 1951 M. E. MAKIN WHEELED AXLE SUSPENSION Filed July 5, 1949 Patented Apr. 17, P1951 l UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE -WHEELED AXLE SUSPENSION Melfred E. Makin, Ontario, Ore'g.'V npplicationiiiiy 3,1949, sei-iai No. 103,139 (omer-20) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to means for suspending a wheel axle underneath the bed of a vehicle body and the primary object of the invention is to provide a wheel axle suspension preventing any uneven laterally swaying movement of a vehicle bed under an unevenly distributed or shifting load.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel axle suspended underneath a vehicle bed by means of springs and assuring an even movement of the wagon bed relative to the axle even when one of said springs breaks or is accidentally disconnected.

The invention consists inthe details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved means for suspending a wheel axle underneath the bed of a vehicle body whereby certain advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in bottom plan of a wagon bed on the underside of which a Wheel axle is secured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 illustrating an embodiment of the invention in connection with an unloaded vehicle.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showingy the arrangement of the several parts of the'wheel axle suspension under the pressure of a load on the vehicle bed.

The wheel axle suspension as herein embodied is illustrated in the drawing as secured to the underside of a diagrammatically shown vehicle bed Ill and comprises a transverse shaft II supported by a pair of bearings I 2 or the like secured to the underside of the Wagon bed I adjacent to the longitudinal sides of said bed by means of bolts I3 or the like. The shaft I I extends at both of the end edges of said bed and extends transversely across the bed and beyond the side edges thereof so that one of the flanges of the angle extends downwardly.`

A ringbolt I6 extends through each of the end portions of this iiange of the angle iron I5 projecting over the edges of the vehicle bed I0 and is adjustably secured by means of a nut I1.

A hole I8 is provided in the second base angle of each bell crank plate I4 and one end portion of a helical tension spring I9 extends through each of the holes I8` and is secured therein against accidental removal. The other end portion of each helical spring I9 is secured to the eye of the adjacent ring bolt IB. The tension of each helical spring I9 is adjusted by tightening or loosening the nut I1 on the ring bolts I6 so thatthe base of the bell 'crank plate I4 is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal margin of the underside of the vehicle bed I0 when the bed is unloaded.

In the apex angle of each bell crank plate I4 a hole 20 is provided and a Wheel axle 2| extends through said holes transversely of the vehicle bed I Il. The axle 2| is secured against rotary movement in the bell crank plates I 4 in any conventional manner for instance by means of keys 22. The end portions of the axle 2I extend beyond the longitudinal sides of the vehicle bed IIJ and on each end portion a wheel 23 is rotatably secured.

Between each bearing I2 and the adjacent bell crank plate I4 a helical spring 24 is located surrounding the transverse shaft II. One of the end portions of each helical spring 24 is secured to the adjacent bearing I2, as at 25, and the other end portion to the adjacent bell crank plate I4, as at 26, so that the helical springs 24 urge the bell crank plates I4 intonormal idle position.

When a load is placed on the vehicle bed I0 the shaft I I secured to said bed is moved downwardly pivoting the bell crank plates I4 against the pressure of the springs I9 and 24 approximately in the position shown in Figure 3. The movement of the vehicle bed I0 will be even at both longitudinal sides of' the bed and any tilting or lateral swaying of the bed is eliminated even when one of the springs should break or be disconnected. In this manner the danger of upsetting a vehicle caused by an unevenly distributed or shifting load is practically eliminated.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a wheel axle suspension constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with Which it may be assembled and operated.

1 claim:

A Wheel axle suspension of the class described comprising a transverse shaft rigidly mounted on the underside of the bed of a vehicle With its ends projecting beyond the sides thereof, a pair of triangular bell crank plates each pivotally mounted at one of its base corners on the projecting ends of said shaft, a pair of helical springs each having one of its ends secured to the vehicle bed and its other end to the second base corner of the adjacent bell crank plate, said springs being no1'- mally disposed parallel to the vehicle'V bed and` in line With the base edges of said plates and the said shaft when the bed is Without load, anY axle rigidly mounted transversely of and in the down-f Wardly pointing apex portions of the plates with 4 the ends thereof projecting beyond the latter, and ground Wheels mounted for rotation on the projecting ends of said axle.

MELFRED E. MAKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name `Date 2,013,566 Lumbers Sept. 3, 1935 2,160,608 Watson May 30, 1939 2,184,188 Hnshaw Dec. 19, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 636,972v Germany Oct. 20, 1936 

